The Bass Offshore Wind Energy project (BOWE) is a transformational renewable energy project that will help accelerate Australia’s change to a green and clean energy supply. The project will design, construct and operate a large-scale wind farm in Commonwealth waters 30 kilometres off the coast of north-eastern Tasmania, taking advantage of Tasmania’s world-class offshore wind resources. BOWE will redefine what it means to give back, with between 35 and 70 offshore wind turbines generating up to 1,000 megawatts of renewable energy, potentially powering up to 325,000 homes with zero emissions – and saving 2 million tonnes of CO2 annually. The project will support Australia’s transition to a zero-carbon economy, and will confirm Tasmania’s status as a global renewable energy powerhouse, while also supporting the Tasmanian Government’s global leading target of 200% renewable energy. BOWE. Change is in the air.
BOWE is a project of Nexsphere, an Australian-owned and operated company with a focus on projects that can significantly impact and accelerate Australia’s transition to a green economy. We are a committed group of experienced professionals with a drive to deliver meaningful solutions that help the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy – before it’s too late. We aim to find and develop economically viable, transformative solutions, ensuring Australia's energy needs are met with green power. Founded in 2017 by Glen Kierse, an international expert in infrastructure and energy development, and Leanne McDougall, a finance professional who is passionate about our natural environment, we have brought together some highly credentialled professionals, including a core team of engineers and a range of renewable energy experts, to plan and deliver BOWE in the coming years.
We are a committed group of experienced professionals with a drive to deliver meaningful solutions that help the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy – before it’s too late. We aim to find and develop economically viable, transformative solutions, ensuring Australia's energy needs are met with green power. Founded in 2017 by Glen Kierse, an international expert in infrastructure and energy development, and Leanne McDougall, a finance professional who is passionate about our natural environment, we have brought together some highly credentialled professionals, including a core team of engineers and a range of renewable energy experts, to plan and deliver BOWE in the coming years.
CEO & Co-Founder
For more than 30 years, Glen has been a leader in some of the largest and most influential financial, infrastructure and government organisations, both in Australia and overseas. Glen’s experience includes roles with World Bank Group, Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet (Australian Government), Macquarie Group, ANZ Banking Group and Westpac. Glen is a graduate of Harvard University’s John F Kennedy School of Government, and his time at Harvard instilled in him a duty to improve public leadership and policy in order to create societies that are more sustainably prosperous. He founded Nexsphere with a strong purpose to make a tangible difference in delivering a sustainable future that focuses on a just, green transition.
Co-Founder
As Co-Founder, Leanne brings world-class international finance experience to Nexsphere, as well as a passion for the natural environment. She has worked in roles leading large teams of risk management professionals at Commonwealth Bank of Australia, National Australia Bank, Bank of Queensland and most recently Suncorp, working across Australia, New Zealand and the USA. Early in her career she worked on the then emerging sustainable energy sector in the USA, at a time when wind farms were gaining initial acceptance. This experience spurred her desire to take action that would help move Australia to a green and clean energy grid, and ultimately start Nexsphere. Leanne holds exceptional academic qualifications, including a Bachelor of Economics, Bachelor of Laws, Master of Laws, Graduate Diploma of Legal Studies and is admitted as a Solicitor of the Supreme Court of NSW. She was a visiting scholar at Boston University’s School of Law.
For more than 30 years, Glen has been a leader in some of the largest and most influential financial, infrastructure and government organisations, both in Australia and overseas.
Glen’s experience includes roles with World Bank Group, Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet (Australian Government), Macquarie Group, ANZ Banking Group and Westpac.
Glen is a graduate of Harvard University’s John F Kennedy School of Government, and his time at Harvard instilled in him a duty to improve public leadership and policy in order to create societies that are more sustainably prosperous. He founded Nexsphere with a strong purpose to make a tangible difference in delivering a sustainable future that focuses on a just, green transition.
CEO & Co-Founder
As Co-Founder, Leanne brings world-class international finance experience to Nexsphere, as well as a passion for the natural environment.
She has worked in roles leading large teams of risk management professionals at Commonwealth Bank of Australia, National Australia Bank, Bank of Queensland and most recently Suncorp, working across Australia, New Zealand and the USA.
Early in her career she worked on the then emerging sustainable energy sector in the USA, at a time when wind farms were gaining initial acceptance. This experience spurred her desire to take action that would help move Australia to a green and clean energy grid, and ultimately start Nexsphere.
Leanne holds exceptional academic qualifications, including a Bachelor of Economics, Bachelor of Laws, Master of Laws, Graduate Diploma of Legal Studies and is admitted as a Solicitor of the Supreme Court of NSW. She was a visiting scholar at Boston University’s School of Law.
Co-Founder
We are proud to partner with like-minded professionals who share our passion for building a sustainable future. Together, we look forward to making a real difference.
We are genuinely committed to consulting and working with local communities and addressing any concerns that may be raised throughout planning and construction. We also recognise the importance of community engagement on the BOWE project, as it will provide opportunities for two-way engagement between our project team, the community and other interested parties. The first round of engagement for the BOWE project will be launched soon. In addition, should you wish to receive regular updates on the BOWE project, including invitations to our community engagement sessions, or simply wish to ask a question, we encourage you to get in touch via our Contact Us page.
24th October 2023
Bass Offshore Wind Energy project (BOWE), a partnership between local developer Nexsphere and Norwegian global energy company Equinor, has welcomed the announcement by the Commonwealth Minister for Climate Change and Energy, the Hon Chris Bowen MP, and Tasmanian Minister for Energy, the Hon Nick Duigan, that will commence on the creation of an offshore wind zone in the waters off northern Tasmania.
Located off the coast of north-east Tasmania, BOWE is a multi-billion-dollar offshore wind farm that is set to harness the world-class offshore wind resources in the Bass Strait, resulting in the creation of hundreds of local jobs and billions of dollars of flow-on investment in Tasmania.
BOWE CEO Glen Kierse said the announcement, which calls for the start of the Commonwealth Government’s public consultation process for a Northern Tasmanian offshore wind energy zone, is an important next step to ensure there is a full understanding of what the zone can look like.
“Tasmania has significant natural advantages when it comes to energy. Building on the great history and strength of hydro, a new era of offshore wind will see Tasmania’s energy security enhanced and the sustainable growth of existing and new industries. The Ministerial announcement presents a fanastic opportunity for the state,” Mr Kierse said.
“The BOWE offshore wind farm, located around 30km off the coast, will generate up to 1,500 megawatts of renewable energy, helping to power much of the State’s homes and businesses, as well as assisting in meeting Tasmania’s 200 per cent renewables target by 2040.”
“The project team is committed to engaging with governments and local Tasmanian communities and businesses,” Mr Kierse said, “ as we manage the design, licensing, construction, and operation phases of the BOWE project.”
Equinor, an experienced global leader in offshore wind development, recently announced first power on the 3,600 MW Dogger Bank Wind Farm off the North East coast of England. Dogger Bank is officially the world’s largest offshore wind farm, and when fully operational will be capable of powering up to 6 million UK homes each year.
“We are proud of and committed to the BOWE project, and see a great opportunity for Tasmania and the broader Australian economy through the development of offshore wind,” said Benjamin White, Head of Business Development for Equinor Australia.
“With our partners Nexsphere, we commend the Australian and Tasmanian Governments on their support of offshore wind, and look forward to engaging with stakeholders through the development process,” said Mr White.
8th June 2023
The Tasmanian Government has today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the owners of the Bass Offshore Wind Energy Project (BOWE), committing both parties to work together to supply northern Tasmania with green offshore wind energy.
BOWE is a multi-billion-dollar, multi-gigawatt offshore wind farm proposed for Bass Strait, north-east Tasmania. The project is set to deliver a major economic boost to northern Tasmania by providing a large-scale and renewable energy source for future green industry such as hydrogen and aluminium at Bell Bay, as well as providing excess renewable energy into the National Electricity Market.
The MOU was signed by Hon. Guy Barnett, Minister for Energy and representatives of BOWE, Ms Ingunn Svegården, Senior Vice President Renewables Asia Pacific, Equinor, and Mr Glen Kierse, CEO, Nexsphere, with a ceremony held in Devonport, Tasmania, at the 5th Annual Energy Development Conference.
In addition to the supply of offshore wind energy, the agreement will also see the parties working together to assist in northern Tasmania being declared an Offshore Renewable Energy Zone by the Commonwealth Government.
The parties also agree to support the growth of local jobs and economic development in northern Tasmania, the efficient planning and delivery of transmission infrastructure and port facilities, and working together on environmental issues and community consultation.
In welcoming the signing of the MOU as a significant milestone in the development of BOWE, Equinor’s Senior Vice President for Renewables Asia-Pacific, Ingunn Svegården, said “We are thrilled to be part of BOWE and will draw upon our deep global experience and resources from 50 years of offshore energy production to ensure that the project can be safely, sensitively and successfully developed.”
Glen Kierse thanked all parties for their support in delivering BOWE through its next milestone stage.
“By signing this MOU, all parties are aligned in their desire to see the project become a significant contributor towards Tasmania’s renewable future, as well as the creator of job opportunities throughout northern Tasmania,” Glen said.
"Globally, offshore wind is accepted as a significant component of the future renewable energy generation mix.”
“This project is a critical link in supporting Tasmania to achieve its world-leading 200 per cent renewable energy target.”
The MoU is the first step of maturing this project together with the local authorities. The next stage will see BOWE progress through the feasibility licencing process once the area is declared, as set out in the Commonwealth’s Offshore Electricity Infrastructure Act, a process which has already commenced in Gippsland, Victoria and will in the Hunter region in NSW soon.
The project will have an initial estimated capacity measured in the Gigawatt-scale, subject to state and commonwealth government approvals and customer demand.
15th December 2022
The Norwegian broad energy company, Equinor and Australian-owned and operated energy company, Nexsphere to join forces to progress the Bass Offshore Wind Energy (BOWE) project in the Bass Strait, Tasmania.
The BOWE project is a multi-billion-dollar, fixed bottom foundation offshore wind farm development located about 30 kilometres off Tasmania’s north-east coast, benefiting from a world class wind resource.
Situated within the proposed offshore wind energy zone to be announced by the Minister for Climate Change and Energy, The Hon Chris Bowen MP, the project has potential to scale up to multiple gigawatts of installed capacity across multiple stages.
Glen Kierse, Chief Executive Officer, Nexsphere says, “We believe the potential for offshore wind in Tasmania is extraordinary, and we’re thrilled to be partnering with a global leader in wind energy, Equinor. We see BOWE as one of a series of projects that will provide the scale required to generate high-capacity renewable electricity to support significant growth for Tasmania and its emerging green hydrogen sector as well as providing renewable electricity into the National Electricity Market. The BOWE project is uniquely positioned to support many of the Tasmanian Government’s recent announcements including Marinus Link, Battery of the Nation and the Bell Bay Hydrogen Hub.”
Thomas Hansen, Senior Director for Offshore Wind in Australia, Equinor says, “As we continue to see momentum grow for the offshore wind industry in Australia, we’re excited to join Nexsphere and further progress the Bass Offshore Wind Energy project. The Bass Strait is a world class offshore wind resource, and this project is well placed to support Australia’s energy transition and Tasmania’s goal to double the production of green electricity by 2040.”
The collaboration combines Equinor’s global experience and expertise in the development and construction of offshore wind farms with Nexsphere’s local experience and track record. The project team will continue to engage with Tasmanian communities and businesses during the project’s life span as local engagement is critical to the sustainable project development of offshore wind.
The BOWE project will provide a major economic boost to northern Tasmania and create significant short-term and long-term employment opportunities during the development, delivery, management and operational phases of the project including research, marine and structural engineering, vessel fleet and delivery headquarters, yard and port operations. Equinor is currently undertaking preparatory activities while Nexsphere is progressing the project.
Equinor’s ambition in Australia is to access opportunities early and apply international offshore experience to develop offshore wind projects at scale to create long-lasting value and supply homegrown renewables power by working closely with strong local partners.
The agreement between Equinor and Nexsphere is expected to be completed in Q1 2023, subject to relevant approvals. The BOWE project is also subject to relevant regulatory declarations, licensing and other approvals.
15th December 2022
We’ve been proud to work closely with a select group of industry partners over the past 12 months to achieve our recently announced agreement with Norwegian broad energy company, Equinor (subject to FIRB approval).
Project funding has been secured thanks to independent financial services group Rothschild & Co, who have committed to the project over the long term. Legal services have been provided by leading multinational law firm, Ashurt, while crucial government relations and local area public relations has been delivered by Hobart-based Font Public Relations. Public relations and broader communications services on mainland Australia have been provided by strategic communications specialists Polymer Studios, with Extrablack designing and building the project’s digital presence and all public-facing materials.
Nexsphere’s CEO Glen Kierse said the project team has been instrumental to the success of the project. “The BOWE project has come a long way in the past 12 months, culminating in our recent partnership announcement with Equinor. We’re extremely grateful for our wider project team’s assistance, and thank them for their ongoing support, expertise and advice.”
5th August 2022
Nexsphere’s Bass Offshore Wind Energy project (BOWE) has today received an important boost following the Federal Government’s announcement of a proposed offshore wind energy zone off northern Tasmania.
The Minister for Climate Change and Energy, the Hon Chris Bowen MP, revealed that the government will be embarking on a consultation process to look at the creation of an offshore wind zone in the Bass Strait region, the proposed location of BOWE.
The move was welcomed by Tasmanian Minister for Energy and Renewables, Guy Barnett, who confirmed that Bass Strait has been named as one of the top options for offshore wind energy generation in the country by the national Blue Economy Cooperative Research Centre.
Mr Barnett confirmed his support for the development of Tasmania’s offshore wind energy, as it complements the Tasmanian Government’s Marinus Link and Battery of the Nation projects, as well as the planned green hydrogen industry to be based in the Bell Bay Advanced Manufacturing Zone.
According to Nexsphere CEO Glen Kierse, the announcement is an important next step in the process of delivering a renewable energy solution for Tasmania.
“It’s great to see the Federal and State Governments throwing their support behind offshore wind energy, and projects such as BOWE,” said Mr Kierse. “Stage one of the BOWE wind farm will comprise around 70 turbines ‘on the horizon’ in Bass Strait, minimising their visual impact while generating an estimated 1,000 megawatts of renewable energy. “This will be enough to power over 325,000 homes, and will assist in meeting Tasmania’s 200 per cent renewables target by 2040, while also helping transition Australia’s grid to a low carbon future.”
Mr Kierse also outlined the expected economic benefits that will be delivered when BOWE comes online. “We’re committed to developing BOWE for the benefit of Tasmania. It will provide enormous long-term employment and investment opportunities and deliver significant growth for the state,” he added.
“BOWE will provide a major economic boost to northern Tasmania that includes ongoing construction and operations jobs, a corporate headquarters, research opportunities and marine engineering roles. “Nexsphere will continue to engage with local Tasmanian communities and businesses during the consultation process and then the design, licensing, construction, and operation phases of the BOWE project.”
9th December 2021
As Australians increasingly call for the transition to a clean energy economy, emerging company Nexsphere (previously known as Brookvale Energy), has today announced its intention to develop the Bass Offshore Wind Energy project (BOWE).
Located off the coast of north-eastern Tasmania, BOWE is a multi-billion-dollar offshore wind farm that is set to make good use of the opportunities offered by the world-class offshore wind resource in the Bass Strait.
The BOWE windfarm will generate between 500-1,000 megawatts of renewable energy, enough to power over 325,000 homes and will assist in transitioning Australia’s grid to a low carbon future.
As a result, the BOWE windfarm will reduce over 2 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent emissions annually, contributing to Australia’s net zero emissions by 2050 and Tasmania’s 200% renewable energy by 2040 targets.
BOWE will provide and foster job creation and education, and massively boost spending in the local and State economies during its 40+ year life.
Nexsphere CEO Glen Kierse said, “We’re committed to developing BOWE for the benefit of Tasmania. It will provide enormous long-term employment and investment opportunities and deliver significant growth for the State.”
“The strength of offshore wind in Bass Strait is well known. Globally, offshore wind is a significant and growing part of the future for renewable energy. With BOWE, Tasmania can deliver major green energy solutions to its people and businesses, as well as position itself to export green energy to the mainland,” he added.
According to Mr Kierse, the project will be a key driver in helping Australia achieve a net carbon neutral position.
“Renewable energy and climate goals are taking priority overseas, and it’s an inevitable next step in Australia as well, especially as there is an increasing shift in the Australian psyche that is seeking action on climate change,” he explained.
“With this in mind, BOWE will drive the discussion around green energy, and ultimately play a big role in helping Australia reach a net carbon neutral target in the foreseeable future.”
Further announcements regarding timelines and development, including strategic and capital partners, will be made in the coming weeks.
Nexsphere will seek to engage with local Tasmanian communities and businesses during the design, licensing, construction, and operation phases of the BOWE project.
The Nexsphere team is working closely with the Tasmanian Government to ensure the project aligns with the proposed Battery of the Nation and Marinus Link Projects. In addition, BOWE’s green energy will be available for the Bell Bay Hydrogen Hub.
BOWE will progress through the licencing process as set out in the recently released Offshore Electricity Infrastructure Bill 2021.
With BOWE, Tasmania will lead the nation in delivering green energy solutions that will help Australia reach and exceed its emissions reduction targets.
